Chris Andrews
Ceist:109. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to deliver affordable housing units in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11557/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 9 March 2023
Ceisteanna (109)
Freagraí scríofa
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
2022 represented the first year of a very ambitious programme of affordable housing delivery. Significant funding has been secured and is being made available to support delivery of affordable housing for purchase or for cost rental by local authorities and other delivery partners, including those in Dublin City.
Local authorities have published 5 year Housing Delivery Action Plans setting out affordable housing delivery targets up to 2026. Dublin City Council has a target of 2,114 affordable homes over this period, not including additional affordable homes that will be delivered through AHBs and the higher Part V requirements introduced through the Affordable Housing Act 2021. Dublin City Council's affordable housing delivery plan can be accessed on its website.
To date, I have approved €38.8 million for two affordable home projects at Poppintree and Emmet Road which will cumulatively assist in the delivery of 388 affordable homes for purchase or rent.
€24.8 million of AHF funding has also been approved to assist with the delivery of 248 affordable purchase homes at O'Devaney Gardens. Dublin City Council have made a revised funding application for this scheme to my Department which is now under assessment. Construction of the affordable units is estimated to commence later this year with full delivery expected within 30 months of the commencement date.
Dublin City Council have also submitted revised funding applications to my Department for affordable housing schemes at Oscar Traynor Road and Cherry Orchard. These applications are currently under assessment and a decision on funding approval will be issued to Dublin City Council shortly. Dublin City Council has advised that the delivery of these units would commence in early 2025.
Last December I wrote to local authorities to set out the increased level of Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) subsidy available for applications in respect of Cost Rental apartment developments in cities. The maximum subsidy now available is €150,000 per home.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, launched last July, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/